The official charity partner for this summer’s Lincoln Flume waterslide has praised brilliant public support which has already seen lottery ticket sales hit the 1000 mark and sales of corporate packages cover the cost.
The learning disability charity, Linkage Community Trust, will be the main beneficiary from the one-day event on Sunday 12th July, organised by the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia. The 110-yard long Flume will take fun-seekers on a dramatic slide from the top to the bottom of Flaxengate in Lincoln City Centre.
The organisers say 10 businesses have already signed up for a £250 package each in return for five guaranteed places on the Flume. This generosity means the cost of staging the event has already been met. Meanwhile, the public have already snapped up 1,000 lottery tickets online for £3 each for the chance to take part. Over 400 places are available in total, and there is a minimum age limit of 10.
Organiser Duncan Gerrard says: “It’s a great attraction to bring to Lincoln and we’re very excited about it. We’re particularly delighted at the quick response from businesses. We’re finalising the details as to when the draw will take place and hope to raise thousands of pounds for charity. There is plenty of time to buy tickets for a really fun day in Lincoln.”
The money raised for Linkage will go towards the £250,000 Boultham Park Capital Appeal to help restore the 50-acre open space. The Boultham Park Project is a joint venture between Linkage and City of Lincoln Council which has already received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund Parks for People initiative towards the £3.7 million cost. The aim of the project is to restore the park and see the development of an education centre which will cater for clients with learning disabilities, a café/shop and greenhouse.
Philip Barnatt, Chairman of the Boultham Park Capital Appeal, says: “There’s been phenomenal interest in the Flume since the Rotarians announced it just before Easter and I’d like to thank everyone who has bought tickets so quickly. Being part of the Flume is a huge boost to the Boultham Park Appeal and I can’t wait for the day.”
Tickets for the Flume can be bought from www.lincolnflume.co.uk and the ride will be open from 10am to 5pm. Progress can be followed on Twitter @thelincolnflume and by following the hashtag #zoomtheflume.
Linkage Chief Executive Ges Roulstone says: “We’re privileged to be the main charity partner for the Flume and we’d like to thank the Rotary Club Colonia for their support for the Boultham Park Capital Appeal. It’s a key part of Linkage’s future development to offer new services in Lincoln and this fundraising is brilliant.”
More details about the Boultham Park Project can be found at www.boulthampark.co.uk. Also follow progress on Twitter @boulthampark or on facebook.com/boulthampark or share your photographs of the park on Instagram using #boulthampark.
Notes to Editors:
- The Boultham Park Project will cost £3.7 million to complete and the Lottery funding amounts to £2.7 million. The remainder is being raised through investment by City of Lincoln Council and Linkage Community Trust (charity no. 504913), grant bids and the Boultham Park Capital Appeal.
- City of Lincoln Council operates parks and open spaces across the city, including the Arboretum and Hartsholme Country Park, both of which enjoy Green Flag status. The council has owned and managed Boultham Park since 1929.
- From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, we use National Lottery players’ money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on twitter @heritagelottery
- Linkage Community Trust is a Lincolnshire-based charity, which delivers high-quality specialist education, care and employment support services to learning disabled people. The aim is to ensure that learning disabled people have the same rights and opportunities for inclusion, fulfilment and feeling valued in society as everyone else. More information is available at www.linkage.org.uk.